Introduction

Welcome to the latest edition of NJDEP’s Field Sampling Procedures
Manual. This new manual replaces the 1992 edition as the most current
technical guidance associated with procedures and equipment utilized for
the collection of environmental samples. It also represents the first
edition published on the World Wide Web, which brings the benefit of improved
access to information for the public and regulated community.

The primary intent of the manual has always been to promote accuracy
and consistency when environmental samples are collected and prepared
for chemical analysis by public and private entities. The validity of
analytical data is directly dependent upon the integrity of the field
procedures employed to obtain a sample. The methods and procedures described
herein are intended for use by those State of New Jersey regulatory agencies
that require chemical, physical and certain biological analysis of samples
for remedial evaluation and monitoring purposes. Since these methods are
applicable to such a wide variety of regulatory programs throughout the
Department, any site and/or regulatory specific questions/ issues regarding
a particular sampling technique must be discussed with the applicable
program personnel prior to going out into the field.

Furnishing guidance for a broad range of field activities is meant to
improve the planning, implementation and documentation of most field-sampling
activities. Said guidance may often suggest several ways to collect a
sample, all of which may be scientifically correct under site or matrix
specific circumstances. Hyperlinks that direct the reader to a variety
of web sites are intended to enhance specific information with the emphasis
on enhance, not necessarily replace. Maintaining a balance between the
evolving nature of environmental sampling and well-established regulatory
oversight means that care should be taken when preparing documents based
on the procedures outlined herein. All methodologies presented in this
manual may not be applicable to specific site situations; a certain procedure,
though included in the text of the manual or by hyperlink reference may
be disallowed at the discretion of NJDEP program personnel if determined
inappropriate in a particular situation.

This manual has been prepared in an effort to represent the best available
technology for field sampling activities associated with hazardous site
investigations and remedial actions. It is also an appropriate reference
for certain aspects of water data acquisition, water allocation, wastewater
treatment operations, radiological assessment, geophysical investigations
and other regulated programs that require field sampling. Procedures outlined
herein have been developed through internal peer review, extensive literature
research, practical field application and analysis of data from a quality
assurance perspective.

Environmental sampling inherently may present extraneous variables,
which may ultimately affect the outcome of analytical results. Since the
nature of environmental media sampling warrants the analysis of a small
aliquot relative to the bulk material, proper sampling techniques must
be employed to obtain a sample which retains its scientific integrity
and is legally defensible. To meet these conditions a sample must be collected
and handled so as to keep its original physical form and chemical composition
to as great an extent as possible. For a sample to be “representative”
of a larger body of material in question, it is imperative to ensure sample
integrity and maintain quality assurance standards in the field. The sampling
procedures put forth in the text of this manual or by direct reference
are designed to minimize any possibility of altering the sample’s
integrity.

The achievement of consistency in sampling procedures and techniques
helps to ensure the provision of data having acceptable quality, comparability
and usability. The importance of data quality has been recognized through
stringent laboratory quality control programs. This manual is intended
to compliment these processes by establishing appropriate quality control
during sampling collection. Quality assurance measures coupled with a
comprehensive site specific sampling plan will improve the chance of collecting
representative samples. This is important to ensure that public and private
monetary resources are utilized in an effective manner.

NJDEP’s Field Sampling Procedures Manual (FSPM) details
the scope of field sampling protocol for site investigation and monitoring
activities. From sampling plan preparation through chain of custody procedures,
the manual details the handling requirements and offers a variety of collection
techniques for sample collection of various matrices. Related concerns
such as personnel protection, geophysical investigation techniques, use
of portable instrumentation, etc. are also included.

The reader is cautioned to be aware of the differences between materials
presented in this manual as guidance, and specific requirements contained
within control documents (e.g., promulgated regulations, permits or Administrative
Consent Orders). Control documents have legal precedence over this manual
and may prescribe certain sampling activities or methods unique to a particular
program, site or matrix. In all cases and when sampling within specific
conditions set forth by any control documents, this manual should be utilized
as a technical guidance document only.

It is recognized by the Department that alternative sampling methods
are continually being developed and accepted for use by various regulatory
agencies. Examples of these include methods for the collection of ambient
air and soil gas using summa canisters, monitoring ground water using
passive diffusion bags, certain field analytical methods and other newly
designed equipment for sample acquisition. Use of new or alternative-sampling
devices should be reviewed and approved for site use by the regulatory
program governing the investigation. Recognized groups such as the American
Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) the Interstate Technology and
Regulatory Council (ITRC) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) will no
doubt continue to publish recommended procedures that improve efficiency,
accuracy as well as specific devices.

As a result, the Department will be updating this manual as needed to
keep the most current and accepted sampling methods available to the public.
To that end, be advised that documents such as the Alternative Ground
Water Sampling Techniques Guide (AGWSTG) and the Field Analysis
Manual (FAM) are incorporated herein. While the AGWSTG will remain
available as a stand-alone reference on the Site Remediation Web Page,
the FAM is now contained completely within the FSPM (Chapter 7). Also,
inquiries related to obtaining certification for certain analyze immediately
parameters related to environmental sampling should be made directly to
the Office of Quality Assurance. These include Laboratory Certification
pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:18, certification related to the Triad initiative
and certification associated with the Private Well Testing Act. The Department
also remains available for and encourages open discussion regarding uses
and applications of additional procedures not presented herein, or suggestions
for modifications to procedures presented. To that end we hope your experience
using this manual is useful, informative and interactive.

Any questions on information contained in the manual may be addressed
to:

Inquires of a specific nature involving the requirements of the New
Jersey Laboratory Certification Program, the NJDEP Water Monitoring and
Standards Program and the Water Supply Administration Program should be
directed as follows: